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Deadpool, the long-gestating passion project of Ryan Reynolds, has finally seen the light of day. After a decade of negotiations with 20th Century Fox over if/how/when the beloved comic book character would get his own film (the studio had its speculations after the lackluster Green Lantern from Warner Bros), test footage featuring the foul-mouthed superhero was “leaked” in 2014, which elated passionate fans who took to the internet to petition for a proper, R-rated movie.

Directed by VFX artist Tim Miller, and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (who both worked on the cult comedy Zombieland), Deadpool focuses on the origins of the titular character, a cancer-ridden mercenary who is as meticulous with his snarky word choice as he is with his aim. After an attempt to get cured by a mysterious man named Ajax (Ed Skrein) goes south, Wade Wilson aka. Deadpool decides to seek vengeance on the man who hurt him.

Deadpool is no fan of subtlety, and most of the film features our anti-hero in full R-rated glory. A gritty, violent, and foul-mouthed take on the genre, Deadpool wears its MPAA “R” like a bright and bloody badge of honor, making every use of the word “fuck” you can think of.

Despite its rating, however, this is far from being anything close to an “adult” film; with a heaping supply of genitalia jokes, masturbation jokes, drug references, fourth-wall-breaking gags, and quips at other characters within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Deadpool seems set on being both an accessible and juvenile action flick while still attempting to take the superhero genre into dark and subversive territory. The edginess often runs thin however, and Deadpool ends up – more often than not – falling back into the same tropes it’s desperately trying to poke fun of.

Still, it’s surprisingly satisfying to hear Deadpool riff on and on in a meta state of self-parody, and there are a few jokes scattered throughout that are actually smart (and pretty damn funny as well). Ryan Reynolds fits his role like a glove and makes a huge comeback performance as a leading action-hero. Technically, the film is a marvel considering its “small” budget of 58 million; Miller’s keen eye for visuals works wonders in his direction, and the action scenes feel fluid, engaging and fresh. Structurally, the many flashbacks and flashforwards actually work in the film’s favor, contributing to Deadpool’s self-aware, Brechtian quality.

Bottom Line: It might play out like a nauseating wet dream of a 15-year old, but Deadpool still has enough bite to put a uniquely funny spin on the ever-tiring superhero formula.